First-timer Building a Pole Barn

[dianewolfe]

Well, on to step two:

Putting the poles in the holes. This weekend we will build the uplift cleats and attach them to each pole. These telephone poles are cut approximately 15 feet long and weigh about 200 lbs. The holes (as I mentioned before) are now 4'-10" deep (give or take) with a 10" crushed rock base. Any advice on how to get these poles in the hole without trashing the walls. Our help consists of myself, my husband and a 13-year-old boy. We could rent a crane to set the poles. It turns out that the county we live in will allow us to pack the rest of the hole with dirt!!!! That saves me about $500! Nice. Please let me know what you think. Everyone had such great suggestion with the last thread.

 

[tommu56]

You can put a 6' 2x6 in the hole to foot the pole
lift the pole with the loader on the top end and put it on a saw horse under it
then line up the whole, pole and tractor in straight line
put loader under the pole top and carefully drive toward hole with pole on top of bucket when it hits 2x6 start raising the loader to lift it up and drive in till it falls in to hole
after it falls in hole pull the 2x6 out

simple as mud right!!!

tom

 

[smiley]

You can put a 6' 2x6 in the hole to foot the pole
lift the pole with the loader on the top end and put it on a saw horse under it
then line up the whole, pole and tractor in straight line
put loader under the pole top and carefully drive toward hole with pole on top of bucket when it hits 2x6 start raising the loader to lift it up and drive in till it falls in to hole
after it falls in hole pull the 2x6 out

simple as mud right!!!

tom

This works good if you have access to a loader.
If you don't have a loader, I have done it by setting it up exactly the same way except we used a step ladder instead of a sawhorse (higher is better for the following method) then we'd make an A or tripod frame out of 2x6x16's and stand it up in line with the pole on the far side of the hole, run a stout rope over the top and attach it 4 or 5 ft from the top of the pole. Attach 2 other ropes about 20-25 ft long near the top. Now attach your car to the other end of the stout rope a tilt your A or tripod frame way back toward the hole and snug up the rope. Get 2 rugged guys on the 2 extra ropes to guide the pole as it goes up. As you start pulling forward with the car, the pole will start up and the frame will straighten up and eventually fall forward. by the time that happens your pole should be nearly vertical and slide down into the hole. It takes a little trial and error to get the ropes positioned correctly, but when you get the hang of it , it's quite easy.
About 5-6 years ago, I also helped set one totally by hand off the top of a van rack but that was a little scary with only 2 guys.

NOW FOR THE CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!
As you can imagine, any of these methods could kill someone in a hurry if the pole or tripod falls on someone. So keep everyone far enough away and watch for anything the pole could land on and send it flying. Don't wrap guide ropes around your hand in case it gets loose.
The guy ropes can be snubbed off to something on each side of the pole like another pole, tree or another car to avoid getting dragged.
-----------WORK SAFE--------

 

[beeforty]

You could also just use the 2x6's to make a tripod over the hole. Have the pulley that usually comes with a come along over the hole and raise the pole up and let it hang, then just lower it down in the hole. Have it attached towards the top half so it hangs. Be careful pulling things up with a rope because once upright you need a lot less tension and if not careful it goes right on over center.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

This was how I did it with mine. Sorry for the picture quality, I snapped a picture out of our photo book.

These were 6x6 PT 16' posts. I know it was everything two of us could do to lift, so I'm guessing in the 300# range. I was able to run a tie strap loosely around the beam at about 6" past the balance point, and hook it to the hook on my bucket. I could then curl the bucket and transport the post horizontal till I got close to the hole. Once near the hole, I would uncurl and since the strap was slightly offset, one end would drop down. Then raise the bucket until the post was vertical, re curl the bucket to tighten the strap, and drive it over the hole. I got pretty good on lining it up after a few tries.

The best part about this was if the hole was slightly off, or I needed to make adjustments, I'd just pick it back up, back up a bit, make the adjustments (as seen in the second picture), and reset it. Did this several times.

Obviously, be careful and don't drive any farther than you need to with the post upright.

Good luck with it.

 

[SandburRanch]

Cut the bottom from a 5 galon bucket and use it as an entering sleeve. When finished with the first one we would like a pic of that fine 13 year old when he shinneys up that pole to remove the bucket.

We'll see how long it takes him to think of a better way of retrieving it.

 

[Todd NE WY]

I think you are best off to rent the crane. Worked on projects most of my life without the proper equipment and it is night and day different when you have the correct equip. A crane may cost a little but what it saves could really add up, including serious injury if something that is jerry rigged gives way with a pole in the air but not supported. You can hold the poles up vertically exactly where you want them while you tamp the dirt in around them. Don't underestimate the time it will take to tamp that much dirt in and it is nice when it is all tamped and the post is still perfectly verticle.

Just my .02

Todd

 

[gilraine]

sounds like a job for a 3 point mounted jib hoist.

 

[dweitzel]

sounds like a job for a 3 point mounted jib hoist.

Be very careful. Crane would be best. Pics of mine going in. I need to go back and re-read your post again.

 

[Army grunt]

Use 2-2x6es 6 ft. nailed in a "v"place this on the foot side. dig out the pole side of the hole so as to start the pole deeper in the hole. place a saw horse under the pole. thin will start it up. then have 2 lifting poles with a "v" nailed to top. these can be 2x4es say a 4fter an a 8 footer. start buy standing the 4 footer, then the 8 footer. a 16 ft. piece is not all that bad. gravity is your friend the more in slips down the hole.go slow an watch as you stand it up to see what is happening.
You could always go to a local home depo an look around for some day help. one other guy would help.
good luck.
Army Grunt